Fashion Event

CPM: FASHION & DENIM CONFIRM SUCCESS

The 18th CPM Moscow closed on Friday, March 2 with its usual success. Over the span of four days, the trade show welcomed 19,100 buyers and retailers from all across Russia and almost every ex-Soviet republic to view the fall/winter 2012-13 collections displayed by 14,800 brands from 30 countries.

CPM project manager Christian Kasch underlined, "The number of visitors is quite accurate because we register every guest only once, even if he or she comes to the fair for two, three or four days, which happens very often, given the variety and richness on offer.”

Dedication to DenimDue to the new segment Fashion & Denim, which presented the Young Fashion, Casual and Denim wear sectors, there was even more variety this time around compared with September's edition. This fashion segment used to be part of CPM before the crisis, and the need to include it again was recognized both by the fair organizers and by the brands. Kasch explained, "We needed a special space dedicated to denim and casual wear, because these brands' importance is crucial; they belong to the future generations. They have their own image that doesn't fit among the classical fashion brands. We didn't want to 'copy' Bread&Butter, of course, but to create a space where all young fashion brands could feel at home.” This time halls 2.4 and 2.5 were a perfect ambience for such brands as Alfa Ind., Ben Sherman, Desigual, Diesel, Guess, Lee, Pepe Jeans, Scotch&Soda, Silver, Timezone, Wrangler and others. The CPM Fashion & Denim Lounge offered an ideal meeting point as well as a catwalk for fashion shows and parties.

The exhibitors were also satisfied with the new arrangement. Alexej Smirnov, sales executive of Jeans Symphony, one of the major operators of Russia's jeanswear market, commented, "In my opinion, this show's level can be compared with that of the main international trade fairs.”

Halls 2.4 and 2.5 were a perfect ambience for brands such as Desigual.

Lesson learnedMark Whyte, VP of sales for Silver Jeans, Canada, who was invited by their Russian distributor Mega Jeans, declared, "I'm satisfied with the level and quality of retailers coming to this fair. It encourages fashion sensibility and their interest for our brand, which is new to this market". Some also expressed critical opinions regarding the position of the Denim area. To such responses Kasch affirmed that at the next CPM (running from September 5-8) the Fashion & Denim area would occupy Pavillion 3, which is higher and more spacious than the present space. "In this way we are sure to obtain even more important brands for our show!"